A startling collection

Eve Arnold is best known for her photographs of famous personalities - not least for her affecting and iconic shots of Marilyn Monroe. That these remain in the popular consciousness is testament to Arnold's incredible abilities as a photographer. But it's also rather reductive.

This excellent exhibition of her two journeys through China in 1979 allows the American-born, London-based photojournalist to show off other strings to her bow. She was one of the first Western photographers to be given a visa. China had just begun to open itself to the West, allowing a freer insight into its culture and politics after the Cultural Revolution.

Arnold, already in her late sixties, overcame difficult conditions and poor health to cover vast expanses of the country. She documented her experiences in four categories: people, work, landscape and living. As the first female to join Magnum Photos in 1951, Arnold hardly lacked tenacity.

Here these categories are jumbled but the range of captured moments in this collection is startling. A shot of a member of the militia in training lying close to her horse in Inner Mongolia is a feat of composition. One of a song and dance troupe rehearsing is a colourful window into everyday China.

Arnold's accompanying captions add a sense of real passion to her experience that, together with the photos, result in a revealing take on a changing country.

Until Jan 12, Asia House, 63 New Cavendish Street W1, Mon to Sat 10am to 6pm, £2. Tel: 020 7307 5454. Tube: Oxford Circus/Regent's Park

Eve Arnold: Portraits
Asia House
New Cavendish Street, W1G 7LP